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Abstract:

In accordance with one embodiment, an image processing apparatus
comprises a target data acquisition section, an identifier information
acquisition section and an image forming section. The target data
acquisition section acquires image data which is to be printed on a
sheet. The identifier information acquisition section acquires identifier
information indicating an identifier which is to be printed on the sheet
together with the image data and is used for specifying the handling of
scanning data acquired when scanning the sheet printed with the
identifier. The image forming section forms, when forming an image based
on the image data acquired by the target data acquisition section on a
sheet, an image indicating the identifier information acquired by the
identifier information acquisition section together with the image data
on the sheet.

Claims:

1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a memory that stores
instructions; and a processor, coupled to the memory, that facilitates
execution of the instructions to perform operations, comprising:
acquiring image data; acquiring identifier information indicating an
identifier which is to be printed on a same sheet together with the image
data and is used for specifying the handling of scanning data acquired
when scanning the sheet printed with the identifier; and forming an image
indicating the identifier information on a sheet when forming an image
based on the image data on the sheet.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, the operations
further comprising printing the identifier for each of a plurality of
sheets based on the identifier information, in a case where the image is
formed on the plurality of sheets.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, the operations
further comprising printing the identifier based on the identifier
information only on the sheet on which the first page of image is
printed, in a case where there is a plurality of pages of image data.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
identifier information specifies, as the handling of the scanning data
obtained when scanning the image containing the identifier, at least one
of the storage destination of the scanning data and the file type when
storing the scanning data.

5. An image processing system, comprising: a processor; and a memory that
stores executable instructions that when executed by the processor
perform operations, comprising: acquiring an image data; acquiring
identifier information indicating an identifier which is to be printed on
a same sheet together with the image and is used for specifying the
handling of scanning data acquired when scanning the sheet printed with
the identifier; and forming an image indicating the identifier
information on a sheet when forming an image based on the image data on
the sheet; and scanning an image formed on a sheet; acquiring the
identifier information based on an image indicating the identifier
contained in a scanned image obtained when the sheet is scanned on which
the image and the image indicating the identifier are printed; and
processing the scanned image of the image formed on the sheet together
with the acquired identifier information according to the handling
specified by the identifier information acquired by the identifier
information reading section.

6. The image processing system according to claim 5, the operations
further comprising printing the identifier for each of the plurality of
pages based on the identifier information, in a case where the image is
formed on the plurality of sheets.

7. The image processing system according to claim 5, the operations
further comprising printing the identifier based on the identifier
information only on the sheet on which the first page of image is
printed, in a case where there is a plurality of pages of image data
acquired by the target data acquisition section.

8. The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the
identifier information specifies, as the handling of the scanning data
obtained when scanning the image containing the identifier, at least one
of the storage destination of the scanning data and the file type when
storing the scanning data.

Description:

BACKGROUND

[0001] Conventionally, in a case of carrying out scanning processing using
an image reading apparatus, a user executes the scanning processing
according to a desired scan setting. Further, in the scanning processing,
there is scan setting recommended depending on the image to be scanned.
However, there is a problem that the scan setting operation is
troublesome and it is difficult for the user to carry out optimized scan
setting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image processing
apparatus according to a first embodiment;

[0003] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware constitution of
the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[0004] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming processing
carried out in the image processing apparatus according to the first
embodiment;

[0005] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an input screen for inputting scan
setting information contained in a QR code;

[0006] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a sheet on which the QR code is
printed;

[0007] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image reading processing
carried out in the image processing apparatus according to the first
embodiment;

[0008] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a sheet group to be scanned;

[0009] FIG. 8 is an example of a data table which illustrates the relation
between the sheet and the scan setting content; and

[0010] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming processing
carried out in the image processing apparatus according to a second
embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In accordance with one embodiment, an image processing apparatus
comprises a target data acquisition section, an identifier information
acquisition section and an image forming section. The target data
acquisition section acquires image data which is to be printed on a
sheet. The identifier information acquisition section acquires identifier
information indicating an identifier which is to be printed on the sheet
together with the image data and is used for specifying the handling of
scanning data acquired when scanning the sheet printed with the
identifier. The image forming section forms, when forming an image based
on the image data acquired by the target data acquisition section on a
sheet, an image indicating the identifier information acquired by the
identifier information acquisition section together with the image data
on the sheet.

[0012] In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus forms an
image on a sheet and meanwhile prints an identifier on the sheet. The
identifier is, for example, a QR code, and is capable of containing
information of scan setting. In a case of scanning a sheet printed with
the identifier in the image processing apparatus, the image processing
apparatus executes scanning processing according to the scan setting
information contained in the identifier.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating image processing
apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0015] The reading section R has a function of scanning and reading images
on a sheet document and a book document. The reading section R is
provided with a scanning optical system 10 which includes a plurality of
reflecting mirrors and image capturing elements, and an auto document
feeder (ADF) 9 which is capable of conveying a document to a given
placing position automatically. The image on the document placed on a
document tray Rt and automatically conveyed by the auto document feeder 9
and the image on the document placed on a document table (not shown) are
read by the scanning optical system 10.

[0016] The image forming section P has a function of forming a developer
image on a sheet based on the image read by the reading section R from
the document or the image data sent to the image processing apparatus 100
from an external machine. The image processing apparatus 100 comprises a
CPU 801, a memory 802 and a HDD 803. The CPU 801 is an arithmetic
processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a MPU (Micro
Processing Unit) and the like. The CPU 801 carries out various processing
in the image processing apparatus 100, and loads and executes the program
pre-stored in the memory 802 to achieve various functions.

[0017] The memory 802 is a storage section consisting of a RAM (Random
Access Memory) serving as a primary storage device and a non-volatile
storage device such as a flash memory and the like. The HDD 803 is a
storage section consisting of a non-volatile storage device serving as a
so-called hard disk drive.

[0018] Further, the image processing apparatus 100 is provided with an
operation input section 810. The operation input section 810 includes a
touch panel type input section for receiving an instruction from a user
and a flat-type display section for displaying processing content or a
message and the like to the user and displaying a preview image of a
printing target before the printing processing.

[0019] A copy processing is schematically described below as an example of
the processing carried out in the image processing apparatus 100
according to the present embodiment.

[0020] First, the sheet picked up by a pickup roller 51 is fed to a sheet
conveyance path. The sheet fed to the sheet conveyance path is conveyed
by a plurality of roller pairs towards a given conveyance direction.

[0021] Then, the images on a plurality of sheet documents automatically
conveyed by the auto document feeder 9 continuously are read by the
scanning optical system 10.

[0022] Next, a control board 800 carries out a given image processing on
the image data read by the reading section R from the document.
Sequentially, electrostatic latent images of the data subjected to the
image processing are formed on photoconductive surfaces of
photoconductive drums 2Y, 2M, 2C and 2K for transferring yellow (Y),
magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) developer images to the sheet.

[0023] Then, the developing agent mixed by mixers 4Y-4K in developing
devices is supplied by developing rollers (so-called mag rollers) 3Y-3K
for the photoconductive drums 2Y-2K on which the electrostatic latent
images are formed in the way described above. In this way, the
electrostatic latent images formed on the photoconductive surfaces of the
photoconductive drums are developed.

[0024] The developer images formed on the photoconductive drums in such a
way are transferred (so-called primary transfer) to the surface of an
intermediate transfer belt 6, and the developer images conveyed through
the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt are transferred to the
sheet at a given secondary transfer position T.

[0025] The developer images transferred to the sheet are fixed on the
sheet by a fixing device 7. The sheets on which the developer images are
fixed are conveyed on the conveyance path by a plurality of conveyance
roller pairs and then discharged to a discharge tray 8 in sequence.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware constitution of
the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0027] In the image processing apparatus 100, the image forming section P,
the operation input section 810, the image reading section R, the control
section 800, the fixing section 7 and the HDD 803 are connected with each
other through a communication bus 70.

[0028] The control section 800, which consists of the CPU 801 and the
storage section 802, controls the operations of the image processing
apparatus 100.

[0029] The CPU 801, which is an arithmetic processing device, loads the
computer program pre-stored in the HDD 803 and the like into the memory
802 and executes the computer program to achieve various functions. The
storage section 802, which consists of a ROM (read only memory), a RAM
(Random Access Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable
Read-Only Memory) and the like, stores computer program used in the
control process carried out by the control section 800 and the data
generated during the execution process of the computer program.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming processing
carried out in the image processing apparatus according to the present
embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a screen which is
incorporated in a printer driver and is used for inputting scan setting
information contained in a QR code. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the
sheet on which the QR code is printed together with the printing target
image data.

[0031] In ACT 101, if the control section 800 (target data acquisition
section) acquires the data to be printed from the external machine
connected with the image processing apparatus 100 (YES in ACT 101), the
flow proceeds to ACT 102. On the other hand, in ACT 101, if the control
section 800 (target data acquisition section) does not acquire the data
to be printed (NO in ACT 101), the flow does not proceed to ACT 102. In
the present embodiment, the data is the image data sent from the external
machine connected with the image processing apparatus 100 and stored in
the HDD 803. The data sent from the external machine may be, for example,
Word (registered trademark) data, Excel (registered trademark) data, PDF
data and the like. The data mentioned herein is not limited to be the
data sent from the external machine, it may also be the image data read
by the image reading section R of the image processing apparatus 100.

[0032] In ACT 102, if the control section 800 (identifier information
acquisition section) acquires the scan setting information contained in
the QR code from the data sent from the external machine (YES in ACT
102), the flow proceeds to ACT 103. On the other hand, in ACT 102, if the
control section 800 (identifier information acquisition section) does not
acquire the scan setting information contained in the QR code (NO in ACT
102), the flow does not proceed to ACT 103. The QR code is an identifier
which is supposed to be printed together with a printing target image on
the sheet to be subjected to image forming processing, and the QR code
specifies the handling of the scanning data when scanning the sheet on
which the QR code is printed.

[0033] The scan setting information contained in the QR code is input by a
user through the external machine connected with the image processing
apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the scan setting information is
input from an input screen S (shown in FIG. 4) which is arranged on the
printer driver and is used for inputting the scan setting. The input
screen S may be displayed, for example, on the operation input section
810 of the image processing apparatus 100 and the user can operate the
operation input section 810 to input scan setting information. A storage
destination selecting column S1, a file type selecting column S2, a color
selecting column S3, an image resolution selecting column S4, a cancel
button S5 and an OK button S6 are displayed on the input screen S. The
storage destination of the image data scanned by the image processing
apparatus 100 can be selected in the storage destination selecting column
S1. The storage destination where the image data is to be stored may be,
for example, the HDD 803 or the external machine such as a server
connected with the image processing apparatus. The file type of the
scanned image data can be selected in the file type selecting column S2.
For example, a PDF type, a JPG type and a TIFF type can be selected as
the file type. A color mode of the scanned image data can be selected in
the color selecting column S3. For example, a full color, monochrome,
auto color and the like can be selected as the color mode. The image
resolution of the image data generated through the scanning processing
can be selected in the image resolution selecting column S4. The image
resolution may be selected from, for example, 100 dpi, 150 dpi, 200 dpi,
300 dpi, 400 dpi, 600 dpi and the like. If the user input the scan
setting and selects the OK button S6, the input of the scan setting is
completed. On the other hand, if the user selects the cancel button S5,
the input of the scan setting is discontinued.

[0034] In ACT 103, if the control section 800 acquires an instruction of
image forming processing from the printer driver installed in the
external machine (YES in ACT 103), the flow proceeds to ACT 104. On the
other hand, in ACT 103, if the control section 800 does not acquire the
instruction of image forming processing (NO in ACT 103), the flow does
not proceed to ACT 104. In the present embodiment, the user can instruct
to execute image forming processing through the operation input section
810 of the image processing apparatus 100.

[0035] In ACT 104, the control section 800 controls the image forming
section P to print the printing target image and the QR code on the
sheet.

[0036] In ACT 105, if the image processing apparatus 100 completes the
printing of all the pages which are supposed to be printed (YES in ACT
105), the printing processing in the flowchart is ended. On the other
hand, in ACT 105, if the image processing apparatus 100 does not complete
the printing of all the pages which are supposed to be printed (NO in ACT
105), the flow proceeds to ACT 104.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the sheet on which the QR code is
printed.

[0038] On the sheet A on which an image is formed by the image processing
apparatus 100, a target image A1 which is a target supposed to be formed
on the sheet is formed at the center of the sheet A. Further, an
identifier A2 is formed at a given position of the sheet A. Herein, the
forming position of the identifier A2 is preferred to be a position which
is not overlapped with the target image A1 on the sheet A. For example,
the forming position of the identifier A2 is preferred to be the margin
part of the sheet.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image reading processing
carried out in the image processing apparatus according to the present
embodiment. Further, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a group of sheets
to be scanned.

[0040] The image processing apparatus 100 scans the sheet on which the QR
code is printed, generates image data based on the information of the QR
code and then stores the image data.

[0041] In ACT 501, if the control section 800 acquires an execution
instruction of scanning processing (YES in ACT 501), the flow proceeds to
ACT 502. On the other hand, in ACT 501, if the control section 800 does
not acquire the execution instruction of scanning processing (NO in ACT
501), the flow does not proceed to ACT 502. In the present embodiment,
the execution instruction of scanning processing can be input through the
operation input section 810.

[0042] In ACT 502, the control section 800 controls the image reading
section R to read the image formed on the sheet A. The image reading
section R reads the sheets A one by one.

[0043] In ACT 503, if the control section 800 (identifier information
reading section) determines that the QR code is printed in the read image
(YES in ACT 503), the flow proceeds to ACT 504. On the other hand, in ACT
503, if the control section 800 (identifier information reading section)
determines that the QR code is not printed in the read image (NO in ACT
503), the flow proceeds to ACT 505.

[0044] In ACT 504, the control section 800 (identifier information reading
section) controls the image reading section R to read image data, and
stores the read image data in the memory 802 based on the information of
the QR code. Herein, in a case where the scan setting in the QR code is
set as following: the file type is PDF, the color mode is monochrome and
the image resolution is 300 dpi; the image data is stored in the memory
802 based on the setting.

[0045] In ACT 505, the control section 800 (identifier information reading
section) controls the image reading section R to read image data and
stores the read image data in the memory 802 based on the information of
the QR code which is read immediately before. The QR code read
immediately before refers to a QR code printed on the sheet the image on
which is read most recently within the sheets printed with the QR code.
More specific description is carried out with reference to FIG. 7. The
sheet group to be scanned in the image processing apparatus 100 is
referred to as a sheet group D. The sheet group D is a group of sheets to
be subjected to scanning processing at a time, and the user collectively
places the sheet group D on the document tray Rt (refer to FIG. 1) and
then executes scanning processing. Further, the sheet group D includes
sheets D1-D6. In the sheet group D, a QR code d1 is printed on the sheet
D1 and a QR code d4 is printed on the sheet D4. The sheet group D is
subjected to scanning processing in such a manner that the sheet D1-sheet
D6 are scanned in order. As to the sheet group D, for the sheet D2, the
"QR code read immediately before" is the QR code d1 printed on the sheet
D1. Further, for the sheet D6, the "QR code read immediately before" is
the QR code d4 printed on the sheet D4.

[0046] In ACT 506, if all the sheets in the sheet group D (refer to FIG.
7) which are supposed to be collectively scanned at a time are scanned
(YES in ACT 506), the flow proceeds to ACT 507. On the other hand, in ACT
506, if all the sheets in the sheet group D are not scanned (NO in ACT
506), the flow proceeds to ACT 502.

[0047] In ACT 507, the control section 800 (identifier information reading
section) controls the image reading section R to store the scanned image
data in the HDD 803 according to the information of the QR code. The
image data stored in the HDD 803 is the image data stored in the memory
802 in ACT 504 and ACT 505, and the data is extracted from the memory 802
and then stored in the HDD 803 according to the information of the QR
code.

[0048] FIG. 8 is an example of a data table which illustrates the relation
between the sheet and the scan setting content.

[0049] The data table illustrates the scan setting content of the sheet
group D (refer to FIG. 7). As stated above, the scan setting content of
the sheets D1-3 is based on the QR code d1 printed on the sheet D1. As it
is set in the QR code d1 that the storage destination is drive C, the
file type is PDF, the color mode is monochrome and the image resolution
is 300 dpi, the image data is generated according to the same setting for
the sheets D1-3. Herein, as the same image data is generated for the
sheets D1-3, the sheets D1-3 are named with the same file name. Though it
is not shown in FIG. 4, it may also be set that same image data is
generated for a plurality of sheets, like the sheets D1-3. The scan
setting content of the sheets D4-6 is based on the QR code d4 printed on
the sheet D4. It is set in the QR code d4 that the storage destination is
drive D, the file type is JPEG, the color mode is color and the image
resolution is 600 dpi. As different image data are generated for each of
the sheets D4-6, the file names thereof are different as well.

A Second Embodiment

[0050] In the second embodiment, the image processing apparatus prints the
QR code merely on the first page within the sheets to be subjected to
printing processing.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating printing processing carried out
in the second embodiment.

[0053] The processing in ACT 101-ACT 103 is the same as that in ACT
101-ACT 103 in the first embodiment.

[0054] In ACT 205, if the sheet to be printed right now is the first sheet
(YES in ACT 205), the flow proceeds to ACT 206. On the other hand, in ACT
205, if the sheet to be printed right now is not the first sheet (NO in
ACT 205), the flow proceeds to ACT 207.

[0055] In ACT 206, the control section 800 controls the image forming
section P to print the printing target image and the QR code on the
sheet.

[0056] In ACT 207, the control section 800 controls the image forming
section P to merely print the printing target image on the sheet. The QR
code is not printed on the sheet in ACT 207.

[0057] In ACT 208, if the printing processing on all the sheets in the
sheet group which are supposed to be printed is completed (YES in ACT
208), the printing processing is ended. On the other hand, in ACT 208, if
the printing processing on all the sheets in the sheet group which are
supposed to be printed is not completed (NO in ACT 208), the flow
proceeds to ACT 205.

[0058] In addition, the image reading processing carried out in the
present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0059] In each embodiment, the identifier for specifying the handling of
the scanning data is not limited to the QR code. The identifier may be,
for example, a barcode or a text, as long as the identifier contains the
information about the handling of the scanning data.

[0060] In each embodiment, the storage destination of the image data
generated through the scanning processing is not limited to the image
processing apparatus. For example, the storage destination may also be
the external machine which is connected with the image processing
apparatus through a network.

[0061] The input screen for inputting the scan setting information is not
limited to be displayed on the image processing apparatus. The input
screen may be displayed on, for example, the external machine which is
connected with the image processing apparatus through a network.

[0062] Further, the image processing apparatus may acquire either of the
target data to be printed and the scan setting information indicated by
the QR code first.

[0063] In each embodiment, though the image forming section is constructed
integrally with the image reading section, the present invention is not
limited to this. For example, the image forming section and the image
reading section may be constructed separately. In this case, the image
forming section and the image reading section are connected with each
other through a network.

[0064] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments
have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit
the scope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described
herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various
omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments
described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to
cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and
spirit of the invention.